Breastfeeding My 8 Year Old Daughter

My eight year old is still happily breastfeeding. Veronika Robinson, 38-years-old, is a passionate advocate of allowing children to decide when they give up breast milk.

In a recent television interview, Veronika Robinson a Glassonby mom appeared on national TV to explain why she is still breastfeeding her daughter who is nearly eight. She also explained why she gave her older daughter breast milk as a ninth birthday present.

Mrs. Robinson and her family are very big on organic foods. Elizah at almost 8 years old is not happy at the prospect of giving up breasfeeding. Elizah said, "I don't want to be weaned. I want to breastfeed for ever," .

Mrs. Robinson was one of several families interviewed after the World Health Organization recommended that children should be breastfed until they are age two. All shared the belief that children should never be forcibly weaned.

There are many cultures that do not take a dim view of prolonged breast feeding. When Bethany, Mrs. Robinson's older daughter, asked for breast milk for her ninth birthday she said, "I was delighted, if a little taken aback." I stopped breastfeeding Bethany when she was five. I continued to feed her younger sister, Elizah. Bethany clearly remembered what a wonderful feeling it had been. "It was the best thing she could imagine and, presented like that, it seemed like a great idea."

Veronika, who edits an alternative-parenting magazine called The Mother continued: "My girls were brought up to think it was completely normal to ask for a breast in a shop," she says. "That's bad enough when they are toddlers, but when they are big girls, people get freaked out by it.." "I try to be discreet, but we have had some odd looks. People tend to be disgusted and disbelieving." "I can't believe any mother wouldn't love to hold onto that wonderful feeling you get when you are nursing your own child."

Only 68 per cent of moms routinely breastfeed, around 80 per cent give up after just six months. The Breast Is Best campaign is designed to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding to new born babies.